Location information system for a wireless communication device and method therefore

ABSTRACT

The present application is directed to location information systems for wireless communication devices. In one implementation, a location information system sends location information to a wireless communication device present in a predetermined area in a facility over a short-range wireless communication channel. The location information informs the wireless communication device a location of the wireless communication device in the facility. The location information system sends the location information to the wireless communication device from a location in the facility other than the location of the wireless communication device in the facility.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/454,363, filed Jun. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,606,555,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/497,954(now U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,977), filed Feb. 4, 2000, the entirety of eachof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to location information systems,and more particularly to a location information system for a wirelesscommunication device and a method therefore.

BACKGROUND

I. Federal Communications Commission Authority Over 911 Service.

In the United States of America, the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) regulates wireless telecommunications companies that providewireless telecommunications services. Wireless telecommunications is agroup of telecommunications services under the heading of commercialmobile radio service (CMRS), as defined by the FCC. CMRS includescellular, personal communications services (PCS), mobile satelliteservices (MSS) and enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR). Presently,CMRS does not include other forms of “wireless” communications such aspaging and traditional dispatch. The FCC's authority over the wirelessindustry includes licensing, certain technical aspects of wirelessservice, timeframes in which service must be made available in givenareas, and the provision of the 911 emergency answering service (i.e.,911 service), including basic 911 and enhanced 911 (i.e., E911).

The Department of Revenue of Washington State, USA provides an excellentsummary of wireline and wireless 911 service in their document entitled:“Enhanced 911 Funding Study.” This study is presently located at theInternet web site: http://dor.wa.gov/index asp?/pub/e911. The mostrelevant sections, including the executive summary, the introduction,chapter 1, chapter 2 text and drawings, and chapter 3 text and chart,have been printed out and provided with an information disclosurestatement for the present patent application as a permanent reference tothe present patent application. Chapter 1 describes the background ofE911 wireless in Washington State. Chapter 2 describes E911 wirelesstechnology with drawings. Chapter 3 describes the technical componentsof Phase I and II of E911 wireless with a chart. This entire study,including, but not limited to chapters 1, 2 and 3 along with thereferenced drawings and charts, is herein incorporated into the presentpatent application by reference not only as a description for thebackground of the present invention, but also as a description for thedetailed description of the present invention. Further, anythingdisclosed in this study, such as any term, concept, feature, service,drawing, chart, method, apparatus, system, etc. or portion thereof, maybe used in combination with anything disclosed in the present patentapplication for support of any claims in the present or related patentapplications. Highlights of this funding study are included in sectionsA through L, as follows.

A. General Description of the 911 Service.

To the public, 911 is an emergency telephone number that a caller dialsfor fire, medical, and/or police emergency assistance. Callers use bothwireline and wireless phones to dial 911. Technically, 911 is anemergency answering service. When a caller dials the digits 9-1-1, acall travels over the public telephone network to a telecommunicationscompany's switch. The switch recognizes the 911 digits and sends thecall to a 911 emergency answering center, commonly known as a publicsafety answering point (PSAP).

B. Types of 911 Service.

There are two types of 911 service-basic (basic 911) and enhanced(E911). With the basic 911 service, all 911 calls go to the same PSAP ina particular area even if the caller does not live in the area served bythe PSAP. When the call taker answers the call, only the voice of thecaller is provided. Therefore, the call taker must request the addressinformation from the caller, and then determine which police, fire, andemergency medical agencies need to respond to the caller's address. Inaddition, if the caller is unable to speak due to a medical circumstancesuch as a heart attack or choking, or does not know their phone numberor location, the call taker may not be able to provide assistance to thecaller.

With the E911 service, the telephone company switch routes the 911 callto the PSAP that serves the address of the location of the caller makingthe call. The telephone subscriber's name (personal or business), thelocation of the telephone used by a caller, the telephone number, andassociated emergency response information is sent to a computer displayat a call taker's answering position at the PSAP. The call taker has theinformation needed to send help to callers who are unable to speak or donot know their telephone number or location. The display of thetelephone subscriber's phone number is known as Automatic NumberIdentification (ANI). The display of the telephone subscriber's locationis known as Automatic Location Identification (ALI).

C. Current Wireline and Wireless 911 Service.

Wireline 911 calls travel via a wireline E911 system from the caller tothe PSAP. Wireless 911 calls travel via the wireless network to thewireline E911 system and then to the PSAP. The major components of theE911 wireline system are: a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), awireless telecommunications network, a dedicated E911 system, a E911selective router, a E911 database, and the PSAPs. The PSTN is a wirelinenetwork of equipment, lines and controls assembled to establishcommunications paths between calling and called parties in NorthAmerica. The wireless telecommunications network includes the radiofrequencies, cell sites, equipment and controls that are assembled totransport a wireless call from a wireless phone to the PSTN. Thededicated E911 system includes network, database, and the specializedE911 equipment at the PSAP that is required to display the E911 caller'sphone number and location. The dedicated E911 system includescommunication paths, known as telephone trunks, between wireline centraloffice switches, or between a 911 control office and the PSAP that areused only for 911 calls. The E911 selective router is a piece ofequipment located at the wireline telephone company's regional switch.The selective router sends the E911 call to the proper PSAP based on thetelephone number of the calling party, the location of the caller, and arouting code called an emergency service number (ESN). The ESN is anumber representing emergency services agencies, such as lawenforcement, fire, and emergency medical service, that serve a specificrange of addresses within a particular geographic area known as anemergency service zone (ESZ). The ESN facilitates selective routing tothe appropriate PSAP and the dispatching of the proper service agency(ies). It controls delivery of the voice call with the ANI to the PSAPand provides selective routing, speed calling, selective transfer, fixedtransfer and certain maintenance functions for each PSAP. The E911database is a database which houses the ANI and ALI records of telephonesubscribers. The information includes a database of street names andhouse number ranges, and the telephone customer's names, addresses,phone numbers and emergency response information. The 911 database ismaintained by the telephone company. The PSAPs, also known as 911 callanswering points, are facilities that are equipped and staffed to handle911 calls twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. A primary PSAPreceives the calls directly. A secondary PSAP only receives calls thathave been transferred to them by the primary PSAP.

D. Operation of the Present Wireline Enhanced 911 Service.

When a caller dials 9-1-1 from a wireline phone, the call travels overthe PSTN just like any other call to the telephone company's centraloffice (CO). At the CO, the switching equipment recognizes the digits9-1-1 and immediately transfers the call from the public switchednetwork to dedicated 911 trunks that carry the call to the 911 selectiverouter. At the 911 selective router, specialized software recognizes the911 routing number associated with the caller's telephone number androutes the call along dedicated 911 trunks to the PSAP that serves thecaller's geographic area. When the 911 call is received by thespecialized 911 equipment at the PSAP, the caller's phone number isautomatically sent via dedicated data circuits to the 911 database,which is maintained by the telephone company providing 911 service tothe PSAP. The caller's name, address, telephone number, and associatedemergency response information is retrieved from the 911 database. Thecaller's information is sent to the PSAP over the data circuits to adisplay at the call taker answering position. The call taker has theinformation needed to send help to people who are unable to speak or donot know their telephone number or location.

E. Operation of the Present Wireless 911 Service.

When a caller dials 911 from a wireless phone, the call travels viaradio frequency (RF) to a base station, then to a switch and then to thePSTN telephone lines. The RF coverage area of the base station is knownas a cell site. A cell site typically has one to three cell sectors.Each cell sector is an area geographically defined for RF coverage bythe wireless company and served by one face of a cell antenna. Each cellsite routes 911 calls to a predetermined PSAP that provides 911 servicefor the majority of the cell site. From this point, there are a varietyof methods being used to transport the 911 calls to PSAPs including:forward the 911 call to a seven-digit number, forward the 911 call to aseven-digit 911 trunk number, seven-digit ANI and ten-digit ANI, as arewell known in the telecommunications field.

F. E911 Service for Wireless Telecommunications.

The FCC issued an order in 1996 (docket number 94-102) that requireswireless carriers to provide E911 service to their subscribers. Thismeans that wireless callers will have similar levels of ANI and ALIservice for 911 calls as wireline callers currently have.

The wireless carriers are to implement wireless E911 in two phases(Phase I and II). In Phase I, they are required to provide the 911caller's phone number and cell sector location by April 1998 or sixmonths after the service is ordered. In Phase II, the wireless carriershave to provide the caller's latitude and longitude within a radius of125 meters (410 feet) at least 67 percent of the time by Oct. 1, 2001 orsix months after the service is ordered This means that the actuallocation of the caller has to be determined, the data has to be sentthrough the 911 system to the PSAP, and the latitude and longitude datahave to be converted into a usable location so the 911 call can bedispatched. If the caller is moving, it may be desirable that thelocation be updated to track the caller, although this is not arequirement of the FCC order. If the caller is out of their home area,the wireless systems have to be interoperable to offer 911 service.

G. Technical Challenges of Implementing E911 Service for Phase II.

Locating the wireless caller. Wireless callers are usually mobile andtechnology has to locate callers in terms of latitude and longitude.

Generating accurate data to describe the location. Data for latitude,longitude, altitude, speed, and direction are necessary to physicallylocate a moving caller. Data calculations may be skewed by physicalterrain, weather, user operation (eg. indoor, in-vehicle, mobile orstationary). The time to transmit the data is affected by the callvolume, geography, and user operation.

Moving the location data through the 911 network. The new data requiresup to 40 digits. The current selective router and 911 network can onlyhandle 8 digits.

Transmitting more data per caller through the system if the caller ismoving. The data changes as the person moves. Data may need to betransmitted more frequently to effectively track a moving caller. Thiscould result in conversations being interrupted if location updates usein-band signaling. In-band signaling means that the data and the voicetravel on the same path to complete the call.

Translating digital data to a usable location. In order for call takersto communicate the actual location of a caller to dispatchers, existingmaps will have to be corrected to reflect latitude and longitude andwill need frequent updates to maintain accuracy. These maps will have tobe electronically available at each call taker position at the PSAPs.

Interfacing with different frequency technologies and multipleinfrastructure and network configurations. There are differenttechnologies, frequencies, and network configurations among the wirelesscarriers. All of these systems have to interface with the E911 network.

H. Technical Solutions For Implementing E911 Service For Phase II.

Private research and development companies are currently developing andtesting cellular network-based solutions and handset-based solutions forPhase II. With the cellular network solutions, location technology isadded to the current cell sites to calculate a caller's latitude andlongitude. The technology works as long as the caller's phone can accessat least two cell sites. TruePosition has operated field trials for acellular network solution along a 350 square mile area on Interstate 95in New Jersey and in metropolitan Houston, Tex.

With the handset-based solutions, a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver in the handset receives latitude and longitude data from twentyfour GPS satellites orbiting the earth by and sends the data to thePSAP. This handset-based solution works as long as the GPS receiver canreceive the satellite signal. Some handset-based solutions using the GPSreceiver process the received location data in the handset and send theprocessed data through to the PSAP. Other handset-based solutions usingthe GPS receiver receive the location data in the handset and send thelocation data to a central location for processing. The processedlocation data is then sent to the PSAP. Integrated Data Communications(IDC) of Seattle, Wash. has technology that allows GPS location data tobe processed by a GPS receiver in the wireless handset and then sent tothe PSAP.

Operation of Cellular Network-Based Solutions.

Cellular network-based solutions add location technology to the cellsites and calculate the location information using triangulationmethods. When the caller dials 911, the signal is received up by two ormore cell sites. Computer software analyzes data from the cell sitesusing a particular method or a hybrid of the following methods-timedifference of arrival (TDOA) and angle of arrival (AOA). Examples of acellular network-based solutions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,890,068 (assigned to Cell-Loc, Inc.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,866(assigned to Lucent Technologies).

TDOA uses data from three or more cell sites and the time of arrival tocompute where the caller is located. The TDOA system is an overlaysystem that fits on the existing network so there is little impact tothe wireless network. Because the system relies exclusively on the radiosignals that are broadcast from the telephone handset to locate acaller, the location quality of the system generally follows the voicequality of the underlying cellular network. As a wireless carrierexpands and improves coverage in their network, the location systemquality similarly expands. For a TDOA system, the location accuracy forindoor coverage deteriorates as the quality of the wireless calldeteriorates. If the indoor cellular phone has good voice reception andtransmission quality, then the location accuracy is relativelyunaffected. Automatic location identification for TDOA includes latitudeand longitude but not altitude.

The advantages to this method are that it can be applied to differentwireless technologies and no modification to the handset is required.Once the system is installed all wireless subscribers would haveautomatic location identification within 410 feet 67 percent of the timeas long as their wireless phone signal could access a cell site.

The challenges with TDOA are that it is dependent on the cell siteconfiguration such as exact cell location, antenna height, and radiochannel allocations. Therefore cooperation with existing wirelesscarriers is needed. It is also dependent on the number of TDOA receiversites. The quality of accuracy of a TDOA system is proportional to thecoverage area of TDOA receiver sites. An urban core typically requiresone TDOA receiver site for every three or four cell sites. A rural area,with much larger cell coverage patterns, would typically require oneTDOA receiver per cell site. The performance is affected when the radiosignal bounces off objects along the path from the radio transmittersuch as hills and buildings resulting in one strong signal and severalidentical weaker signals being received at different times. Thisphenomenon is known as multipath effect. The quality of the indoorcoverage varies with the strength of the signal. TDOA requires accuratenetwork time synchronization and an extensive cell site overlay.

AOA uses data from two or more cell sites and the angle of arrival tocompute where a caller is located. The advantages to this method arethat it applies to all mobile phones of any make, model, and vintagewith no modifications to the handset required. The AOA system is anoverlay system that fits on the existing network so there is littleimpact to the wireless network. Because the system relies exclusively onthe radio signals that are broadcast from the phone to locate a caller,the location quality of the system generally follows the voice qualityof the underlying cellular network. Similar to TDOA, the AOA systemrequires a series of angular receiver sites to be deployed in thenetwork. There are fewer AOA receiver sites needed in an urban core percell than in a rural area. An asset of AOA is its resistance tomultipath effects which includes good indoor coverage. The challengeswith this system are that it is typically dependent on additionalantenna structures at the cell site. Therefore cooperation with theexisting wireless operators is needed for access to most structures. Theaccuracy of an AOA system is inversely proportional to the distance ofthe phone from the AOA sites (the further the phone is away, the lessaccurate the system). Also, in rural configurations, cell sites tend tobe adjacent to highways. This is a poor configuration for AOA since nolocation can be detected along the line-of-sight between two AOAreceivers.

J. Operation of Handset-Based Solutions.

Currently there are two handset solutions being tested. Both use GlobalPositioning Satellite (GPS) technology to obtain location information.Examples of the handset-based solutions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,479,482 (assigned to AT&T, Corp.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,147(assigned to AT&T, Corp.). The advantage of a GPS solution is itsinherent high accuracy (as close as 40 feet). Some of the challengeswith this technology will be its use in skyscrapers, forming what isknown as “urban canyons” or an electromagnetic shielding effect, whereit is difficult for the handset to receive the GPS data. The WashingtonState funding study suggests that tall buildings can be retrofitted toreceive GPS information. Antennae could be placed on the roof and ateach floor of the building to send the signal to a GPS receiver insidethe building. However, this suggestion does not disclose how a cellulartelephone would receive GPS information from the GPS antenna andreceiver, since the GPS antenna and GPS receiver are disclosed to beattached or in the building and not attached to, disposed in orcommunicating with the cellular telephone. Further, with this suggestionit appears that GPS receiver would only receive the locations of the GPSantennas because that is where the GPS data is collected from the GPSsatellites. Moreover, in an urban canyon environment, it is possiblethat only the GPS antenna located on the top of the building will beable to receive the GPS signals because it is able to receive the GPSsignals from the GPS satellites. The other GPS antenna located on eachfloor may also be shielded from the GPS signals from the GPS satellitesby the building's own structure if the GPS antennas are located insidethe building or by other nearby tall skyscrapers if the GPS antennas arelocated outside of the building at each floor. Regardless of thehandset-based solution, the handset solution needs to be accepted as anational solution or handsets of subscribers from different areas willnot be compatible. There is also the issue of what to do about thehandsets that are currently in use. One solution is to offer an aftermarket battery pack adapter that allows the addition of the GPS receiverto the battery pack. Since there is a fairly fast turnover in handsetsit would not be too long before a large number of users would have theGPS technology built into the handset.

K. Operation of a Cellular Network-Assisted GPS Handset Solution.

The cellular network-assisted GPS uses a GPS receiver in the handset tocollect raw data from the GPS satellites. The raw data is then sent toequipment located at cell sites and then forwarded to network equipmentfor further processing. This network equipment computes and sends thelatitude, longitude, and other location information to other networkequipment for transmission to the PSAP. The advantage of thecellular-assisted GPS is that it reduces the processing of satellitedata in the handset by using high-speed network-based computing. Anadditional advantage is that error correction and the time to get aninitial reading are improved by the ability of the network to sendinformation to the handset.

L. Operation of Autonomous GPS Handset Solution.

The autonomous GPS handset uses a complete GPS receiver and processorlocated in the handset. This stand-alone device does not need anynetwork connections to obtain location information. The on-boardprocessor can send location information through the cellular networkoverhead data channels or over the voice path via in-band technology.The advantage of sending the data via the voice path is that locationinformation can be sent over any cellular or wireline network directlyto the PSAP without changing any of the existing network.

M. Operation of a Cellular Network-Based and Handset-Based Solution.

The cellular network-based solution, as described hereinabove in sectionI, and handset-based solution, as described hereinabove in Sections J, Kand L, may also be combined to provide a more accurate determination ofthe location of the cellular handset. An example of such a combinationsolution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,660 (assigned to AT&TWireless Services, Inc.).

II. Bluetooth

Bluetooth, presently having a web site at http://www.bluetooth.com, is acodename for an open technology standard specification jointly developedby Ericsson, Intel, IBM, Toshiba, and Nokia. Bluetooth is for small formfactor, low-cost, short range radio links of voice and datacommunications between mobile devices, such as between a cellular phoneand a laptop computer, and between mobile and fixed devices, such asbetween an electronic camera and a printer. The short range radio linksare implemented using compact and cost effective short range radiotransceivers operating in the international 2.4 GHz ISM band. Hence,Bluetooth replaces cables and makes automatic, unattended, short rangecommunications between devices possible. However, Bluetooth does notappear to disclose or suggest an application for 911 service, includingE911 service for wireless communication devices, such as cellulartelephones.

Accordingly, there is a need for a location information system toprovide location information, such as the ALI for the E911 service, fora wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, and amethod therefore to permit the wireless communication device to engagethe E911 service in places where the cellular network-based solutions,cellular handset-based solutions, or a combination of the cellularnetwork-based solutions and the cellular handset-based do not adequatelyperform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system, includinga location information system, a wireless communication device, awireless communication network, and a location-enabled service inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the location information systemillustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication networkillustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart describing a method performed by thelocation information system illustrates in FIG. 2 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart describing a method performed by thewireless communication device illustrated in FIG. 3 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart describing a method performed by thewireless communication network illustrated in FIG. 4 in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart describing a method performed by thelocation-enabled service illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Generally, to meet the forgoing need, a location information system 102receives location information representing a plurality of locationdescriptions respectively associated with a plurality of predeterminedareas 210-213 in a facility 110. Then, the location information system102 sends the location information to a wireless communication device104 present in one of the predetermined areas in the facility over ashort-range wireless communication channel 124. Therefore, the wirelesscommunication device 104 is told its location in a facility for use asan ALI during an E911 call by the wireless communication device 104,where conventional network-based solutions, device-based solutions, or acombination of the network-based solutions and the device-based solutiondo not adequately perform, such as in the facility 110.

More particularly, the location information system 102 includes acontroller 200, a location entry device 202, a memory device 204 andwireless communication units 206-209. The controller 200 receiveslocation information from the location entry device 202, such as akeyboard or a global positioning satellite receiver, for storage in thememory device 204. The location information represents locations ofpredetermined areas 210-213, such as floors, rooms, hallways, stairwaysand elevators, associated with each of the wireless communication units206-209 in a facility 110. A wireless communication unit 209 sends thelocation information to a wireless communication device 104, such as acellular telephone device, over a short-range wireless communicationchannel 124, such as a radio frequency communication channel.Preferably, each of the wireless communication units 206-209 and thewireless communication device 104 include a short-range radio frequencytransceiver designed to communicate over the short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 according to a Bluetooth technologyspecification. Preferably, the location information is used for E911automatic location identification in the facility 110. The locationinformation may be solicited or unsolicited from the locationinformation system by the wireless communication device 104. When thelocation information is solicited, the location information is eitherpulled by the wireless communication device 104 or pushed by thelocation information system using a location information service. Thepresent detailed description of the preferred embodiment disclosesfurther features and advantages with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system 100,including a location information system 102, a wireless communicationdevice 104, a wireless communication network 106, and a location-enabledservice 108 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

Location information is communicated between the blocks of FIG. 1 onpaths 112, 114, 116, and 130. Service information is communicatedbetween the blocks of FIG. 1 on paths 118, 120, 122 and 138. Pairs ofpaths 124, 126, 128 and 140 between the blocks of FIG. 1 representcommunication channels between the blocks.

In operation, the location information system 102 communicates with thewireless communication device 104 over the communication channel 124.The wireless communication device 104 communicates with the wirelesscommunication network 106 over the communication channel 126. Thewireless communication network 106 communicates with thelocation-enabled service 108 over the communication channel 128. Thelocation information system 102 also communicates with the wirelesscommunication network 106 over the communication channel 140.Alternatively, location information system 102 communicates with thelocation-enabled service 108 over the communication channel 140.

The location information system 102 is preferably a wirelesscommunication system designed to operate according to the Bluetoothtechnology specification, herein incorporated into the presentapplication by reference and described hereinabove. An advantage ofusing wireless communication system, designed to operate according tothe Bluetooth technology specification, is that the short-range radiotransceivers (example, about 10 meters) transmit location information tothe wireless communication device 104 for use with the E911 service andother location-based services. Further advantages and features of usingBluetooth technology specification is described hereinbelow.Alternatively, the location information system 102 may include, withoutlimitation, wireless public branch exchange (PBX) communication system,cordless telephone communication system, small-cell or pico-cellcommunication system, and an in-building communication system.

The wireless communication device 104 is preferably a cellular telephonedevice. Alternatively, the wireless communication device 104 includes,without limitation, cordless telephones, personal digital assistants,pagers, personal notebooks, portable computers and two-way radios.

The wireless communication network 106 is preferably a cellulartelephone network providing coverage over a relatively wide area, suchas a city. Alternatively, the wireless communication network 106includes, without limitation, wireless public branch exchange (PBX)communication networks, cordless telephone communication networks,small-cell or pico-cell communication networks, global satellitecommunication networks, paging communication networks and two-way radionetworks.

The location-enabled service 108 represents a third party person orservice that communicates with the wireless communication device 104,via the wireless communication network 106 and/or via the locationinformation system 102. The location-enabled service 108 preferablyprovides location-based services or applications to the wirelesscommunication device 104. Such location-based services include, withoutlimitation, a map service, a people finder service, a place finderservice, to name a few. The location-enabled service 108 is preferablyoperated by a third party, but may also be integrated with the wirelesscommunication network 106 and/or the location information system 102.

The communication channel 124 between the location information system102 and the wireless communication device 104 is preferably a radiofrequency communication channel operating at 2.4 GHz according to theBluetooth technology standard. Alternatively, the communication channel124 may operate at any other radio frequency in accordance with thedesign of the location information system 102 and the wirelesscommunication device 104. Alternatively, the communication channel 124may include, without limitation, an infrared communication channel.

The communication channel 126 between the wireless communication device104 and the wireless communication network 106 is preferably a radiofrequency communication channel operating at cellular frequencies.Alternatively, the communication channel 126 operate at any other radiofrequency in accordance with the design of the wireless communicationdevice 104 and the wireless communication network 106. Alternatively,the communication channel 126 may include, without limitation, aninfrared communication channel.

The communication channel 128 between the wireless communication network104 and the location-enabled service 108 is preferably a wirelinecommunication channel carried by a public switch telephone network(PSTN). Alternatively, the communication channel 128 may be a radiofrequency communication channel or an infrared communication channel.

The communication channel 140 between the location information system102 at least one of the wireless communication network 106 and thelocation-enabled service 108 is preferably a wireline communicationchannel carried by a public switch telephone network (PSTN).Alternatively, the communication channel 140 may be a radio frequencycommunication channel or an infrared communication channel.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the location information system102 illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The location information system 102 generallyincludes a controller 200, a plurality of wireless communication units206-209, a memory device 204 and a location entry device 202. Thelocation entry device 202 further generally includes a determinedlocation entry device 216 and a predetermined location entry device 218.

The controller 200 receives location information representing aplurality of location descriptions respectively associated with aplurality of predetermined areas 210-213 in the facility 110. Each ofthe wireless communication units 206-209 is coupled to the controller200. At least one of the wireless communication units, for example unit209, sends the location information to the wireless communication device104 present in one of the plurality of predetermined areas, for examplearea 213, in the facility 110 over a short-range wireless communicationchannel, such as a Bluetooth channel, responsive to the controller 200receiving the location information.

The plurality of predetermined areas identify at least one of latitude,longitude, altitude, a street address, a floor, a room, a hallway, astairwell, an elevator, an isle, a seat, and the like, in the facility110. The location information represents a plurality of locationdescriptions respectively associated with the plurality of predeterminedareas.

The facility includes, for example and without limitation, a building, askyscraper, a conference center, a hotel, a sports center, such as astadium or a field, and entertainment center, such as a movie theater ora concert hall, a fixed structure, such as a building, a moveablestructure, such as a car, bus or boat, an closed or contained structure,such as a building, and an open structure, such as an outside fieldstaging an exhibition. The location information system 102 isadvantageous in facilities where the wireless communication devicecannot receive location information when the wireless communicationdevice 104 is located inside the facility making it difficult for thewireless communication device 104 to transmit the location informationto an emergency service. Alternatively, the location information system102 is also advantageous in facilities when the facility has many areas,such as many rooms, or when the facility has many people, such as asports stadium or concert hall, thereby making it difficult for rescuepersonnel to find a person in the building, even if the wirelesscommunication device 104 can transmit the location information to theemergency service.

The location information system 102 is preferably located and operatingin a facility 110. The wireless communication device 104 is preferablyin the facility 110 when communicating with the location informationsystem 102. However, the wireless communication device 104 is free tomove in and out of the facility and is not restricted to being in thefacility as shown by reference number 220.

The memory device 204, coupled to the controller 200, stores thelocation information responsive receiving the location information fromthe controller.

The location entry device 202, coupled to the controller 200, providesthe location information to the controller 200. Preferably, the locationentry device 202 provides predetermined location information to thecontroller 200, such as, for example, manually by a keyboard or voicerecognition program, or semi-automatically by a download from a databasepreviously created. Alternatively, the location entry device 202provides determined location information to the controller 200, such as,for example by a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, coupled toa GPS antenna 222 positioned proximate to the facility to receive GPSsignals from global positioning satellites orbiting the earth. The GPSreceiver determines the location information responsive to receiving theGPS signals from the GPS antenna 222 and then sends the determinedlocation information to the controller 200. The GPS solution isparticularly advantageous for moving facilities, such as a bus, car, orboat, wherein the location information can be updated in real time.

Preferably, in an E911 application, the wireless communication unit 209sends the location information at least one of before, during and afterthe wireless communication device 104 communicates an emergencytelephone call to a public safety answering point. The locationinformation sent to the wireless communication device 104 is used for anautomatic location identification (ALI) of the wireless communicationdevice 104 in the facility 110 by the public safety answering point.Alternatively, the wireless communication device 104 may utilize thelocation information for any other location-based service or applicationsuch as a people finder or a place finder.

Preferably, each of the wireless communication units 206-209 and thewireless communication device 104 further comprise a radio frequencytransceiver designed to operate in accordance with the Bluetoothtechnology specification. Preferably, the short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 is a radio frequency communication channeldesigned to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth technologyspecification.

Particularly, note the PSTN interface 224 coupled to the controller 200of the location information system 102 and the communication channel 140coupled between the controller 200 and at least one of the wirelesscommunication network 106 and the location-enabled service 108. The PSTNinterface 224 and the communication channel 140 generally represent acommunication interface to a system outside of the location informationsystem 102. A combination of the PSTN interface 224, the communicationchannel 140 and the location information system 102 advantageouslyprovide the wireless communication device 104 with an alternatecommunication path for communicating with at least one of the wirelesscommunication network 106 and the location-enabled service 108. Thetypes of communication on the alternate communication path includevoice, data or video signals typically associated with narrow or highbandwidth telephone communications. Without this combination, thewireless communication device 104 typically communicates with thewireless communication network 106 over the communication channel 126.The alternate communication path 140 advantageously permits the wirelesscommunication device 104 to make a telephone call, for example, when thecommunication channel 126 is not available. For example, thecommunication channel 126 may not be available when the wirelesscommunication device 104 is urban canyon situations, such as in askyscraper or in the basement of a building where conventional cellularcommunications do not perform adequately. In this case, although thelocation information system 102 provides the wireless communicationdevice 104 with appropriate automatic location identificationinformation, the wireless communication device 104 may be unable to makea telephone E911 call for emergency assistance. Thus, the person wouldnot receive any assistance. However, with the alternate communicationpath, the wireless communication device 104 makes a telephone E911 callfor emergency assistance via a radio frequency transceiver 209, to thecontroller 200, to the PSTN interface 224 over the communication channel140 to reach the public safety answering point. Therefore, the personwould still receive emergency assistance, as well as other types oflocation-based services.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locationinformation system 102 is designed to operate according to the Bluetoothtechnology standard. Hence, the combination of the PSTN interface 224,the communication channel 140, and the location information system 102designed to operate according to the Bluetooth technology standardadvantageously provides the wireless communication device 104 to makeand receive telephone communications over a Bluetooth communicationsnetwork. In the Bluetooth communications network, the radio frequencytransceiver 206-209 would act as communication base stations and thecontroller 200 would act as a communication switch having the softwareto appropriately route incoming or outgoing communications.

Alternatively, the PSTN interface 224 would not be needed if theBluetooth communications network were intended to only be used by thelocation information system 102 within the facility.

Preferably, the communication path 140 would carry radio frequencysignals operating in the 2.4 GHz range according the to the Bluetoothtechnology specification and the communication path 124 would carryradio frequency signals operating in the 800 MHz range according tocellular technology standards. Alternatively, the communication path 140and the communication path 124 operate in the same frequency range. Inthis case, various frequency sharing or allocation plans may beimplemented to provide efficient communications over the communicationpath 140 and the communication path 124.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication device104 illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The wireless communication device 104 generallyincludes a short-range communication circuit 304, a long-rangecommunication circuit 302, a controller 300, a memory device, a userinterface 306, a speaker 326, and a microphone 328. The long-rangecommunication circuit 302 further includes an antenna 314, a duplexfilter 316, a receiver 310, a transmitter 312 and a frequencysynthesizer 318. The short-range communication circuit 304 furtherincludes an antenna 324, a receiver 320 and a transmitter 322.

The short-range communication circuit 304 receives location informationfrom the location information system 102 over a short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 when the wireless communication device 104 ispresent in one of a plurality of predetermined areas 210-213 in thefacility 110. Preferably, the short-range communication circuit 304receives the location information at least one of before, during andafter the wireless communication device 104 communicates an emergencytelephone call to a public safety answering point associated with thewireless communication network 106. Preferably, each of the short-rangecommunication circuit 304 and the location information system 102further comprise a radio frequency transceiver designed to operate inaccordance with a Bluetooth technology specification. Preferably, theshort-range wireless communication channel 124 further comprises a radiofrequency communication channel designed to operate in accordance withthe Bluetooth technology specification.

The long-range communication circuit 302 sends the location informationto the wireless communication network 106 over a long-range wirelesscommunication channel 126 responsive to receiving the locationinformation from the location information system 102. Preferably, thelong-range communication circuit 302 is designed to send and receivecellular radio frequency signals.

The controller, coupled to each of the short-range communication circuit304 and the long-range communication circuit 302, controls each of theeach of the short-range communication circuit 304 and the long-rangecommunication circuit 302.

The memory device 204, coupled to the controller, stores the locationinformation responsive to receiving the location information from thelocation information system 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication network106 illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The wireless communication network 104 generallyincludes a base station 400, a communication switch or router 402, amemory device 408, a location-enabled service interface 410, acontroller 406 and a public switch telephone network interface (PSTN)418. The base station 400 further includes an antenna 416, a receiver412 and a transmitter 414.

The antenna 416 communicates radio frequency signals over the radiofrequency communication channel 126 between the wireless communicationnetwork 106 and a wireless communication device 104. The receiver 412,coupled to the antenna 416, receives the radio frequency signals fromthe wireless communication device 104. The transmitter 414, coupled tothe antenna 416, transmits the radio frequency signals to the wirelesscommunication device 104. The communication switch 402, coupled to thetransmitter 414 and the receiver 412, routes information communicatedover radio frequency communication channel 126. The memory device 408stores the location information. The location-enabled service interface410, preferably a PSTN interface, communicates signals between thewireless communication network 106 and the location-enabled service 108.The PSTN interface 418 communicates voice and/or data signals betweenthe wireless communication network 106 and the location informationsystem 102. The controller 406, coupled to the communication switch 402,the memory device 408, PSTN interface 418 and the location-enabledservice interface 410,

The location information of the wireless communication device 102 istransmitted over the paths 420-423. The service information from thelocation-enabled service 108 is transmitted over the paths 424-426.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart 500 describing a method performed by thelocation information system 102 illustrated in FIG. 2 in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention.

At step 502, the location information system 102 starts the method.

At step 504, the location information system 102 receives, from thelocation entry device 202, location information representing theplurality of location descriptions respectively associated with theplurality of predetermined areas 210-213 in the facility 110.Preferably, the location information is determined responsive toreceiving GPS signals from global positioning satellites orbiting theearth, as described hereinabove. Alternatively, the location informationis predetermined, as described hereinabove.

At step 506, the location information system 102 stores the locationinformation in the memory device 204 responsive to the step 502 ofreceiving.

At step 508, the location information system 102 determines whether toprovide the location information to the wireless communication device104 unsolicited by the wireless communication device 104 or solicited bythe wireless communication device 104 responsive to the step 506 ofstoring.

At step 510, the location information system 102 provides anavailability of a location information service, having the locationinformation, to the wireless communication device 104 in the facility110 over the short-range wireless communication channel 126 responsive adetermination at step 508 that the location information is solicited bythe wireless communication device 104.

At step 512, the location information system 102 receives a request fromthe wireless communication device 104 over the short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 responsive to the step 510 of providing todetermine whether a location information service is available to thewireless communication device 104 in the facility 110.

At step 514, the location information system 102 sends a response to thewireless communication device 104 over the short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 indicating that the location informationservice is available to the wireless communication device 104 in thefacility 110 responsive to the step 512 of receiving the request.

Alternatively, at step 516, the location information system 102broadcasts a signal to the wireless communication device 104 over theshort-range wireless communication channel 124 responsive to the step510 of providing to notify the wireless communication device 104 thatthe location information service is available to the wirelesscommunication device 104 in the facility 110.

At step 518, the location information system 102 determines whether arequest is received from the wireless communication device 104 for thelocation information over the short-range wireless communication channel124 responsive to one of the step 514 of sending and the step 516 ofbroadcasting. The step of determining 518 is repeated when a request isnot received from the wireless communication device 104 and when thelocation information is fixed, such as in a building. The step 504 ofreceiving the location information is repeated when a request is notreceived from the wireless communication device 104 and when thelocation information is variable, such as on a bus or a boat.

At step 520, the location information system 102 sends the locationinformation to a wireless communication device 104 present in one of theplurality of predetermined areas 210-213 in the facility 110 over theshort-range wireless communication channel 124 responsive to one of thestep 518 of determining and the step 508 of determining that thelocation information is not solicited by the wireless communicationdevice 104. As described hereinabove, the step 520 of sending isperformed at least one of before, during and after the wirelesscommunication device 104 communicates an emergency telephone call to thepublic safety answering point. The location information sent to thewireless communication device is used for an automatic locationidentification of the wireless communication device in the facility bythe public safety answering point and emergency rescue personnel.

At step 520, the location information system 102 ends the method.

Note that the steps included within the dashed line indicated byreference number 524 are enhanced features of the location informationsystem 102. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, themost advantageous steps include steps 504, 506 and 520 to receive, storeand send, respectively, the information signal. However, when thelocation information is determined in real time, the step 506 of storingmay also be eliminated, since there would be no need to store thelocation information. Further, when the wireless communication device104 has a location-based application software program carried with thewireless communication device 104 then the most relevant step neededwould be only the step 504 of receiving the location information,

Also note that steps included within dashed line indicated by referencenumber 526 generally describe a location information service availableto people using compatible wireless communication devices 104 in thefacility. The location information service may include, withoutlimitation, a place finder in the facility (e.g. map service) to directpeople to their room or seat, for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 describing a method performed by thewireless communication device 104 illustrated in FIG. 3 in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

At step 602, the wireless communication device 104 starts the method.

At step 604, the wireless communication device 104 determines whetherthe location information is to be unsolicited by the wirelesscommunication device 104 or solicited by the wireless communicationdevice 104.

At step 606, the wireless communication device 104 determines whether anavailability of service information, using the location information, ispushed to the wireless communication device 104 by the location-enabledservice or pulled from the location-enabled service by the wirelesscommunication device 104 in the facility 110 over the short-rangewireless communication channel 126 responsive a determination at step604 that the location information is solicited by the wirelesscommunication device 104.

At step 608, the wireless communication device 104 sends a request tothe location information system 102 over the short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 responsive to the step 606 of determining thatthe service information is pulled from the location-enabled service bythe wireless communication device 104.

At step 610, the wireless communication device 104 receives a responsefrom the location information system 102 over the short-range wirelesscommunication channel 124 responsive to the step 608 of sending therequest.

Alternatively, at step 612, the wireless communication device 104receives a broadcast signal from the location-enabled service over theshort-range wireless communication channel 124 responsive to the step606 of determining that the service information is pushed to thewireless communication device 104 by the location-enabled service 108.

At step 614, the wireless communication device 104 sends a request tothe location-enabled service for the location information associatedwith the predetermined area where the wireless communication device 104is located in the facility 110 responsive to one of the step 610 ofreceiving and the step 612 of receiving. Preferably, the step 614 ofsending is performed at least one of before, during and after thewireless communication device 104 communicates an emergency telephonecall to a public safety answering point. The location information sentto the wireless communication device 104 is used for an automaticlocation identification of the wireless communication device 104 in thefacility 110 by the public safety answering point and emergencypersonnel.

At step 616, the wireless communication device 104 receives the locationinformation from the location information system 102 over theshort-range wireless communication channel 124 when the wirelesscommunication device 104 is present in one of the predetermined areas210-213 in the facility 110 responsive to one of the step 614 of sendingand the step 604 of determination that the location information is tounsolicited by the wireless communication device 104.

At step 618, the wireless communication device 104 stores the locationinformation in the memory device 308 responsive to the step 616 ofreceiving.

At step 620, the wireless communication device 104 receives a requestfrom the location-enabled service 108 for the location informationstored in the memory device 308. Preferably, the request is receivedfrom the location-enabled service 108 via the wireless communicationnetwork 106 over the communication channel 126. Alternatively, therequest is received from the location-enabled service 108 via thelocation information system 102 over the communication channel 140.

At step 622, the wireless communication device 104 sends the locationinformation to the location-enabled service 108 responsive to the step620 of receiving the location information. Preferably, the locationinformation is sent to the location-enabled service 108 via the wirelesscommunication network 106 over the communication channel 126.Alternatively, the location information is sent to the location-enabledservice 108 via the location information system 102 over thecommunication channel 140.

At step 624, the wireless communication device 104 receives the serviceinformation related to the location information from thelocation-enabled service 108 responsive to the step 622 of sending thelocation information. Preferably, the service information is receivedfrom the location-enabled service 108 via the wireless communicationnetwork 106 over the communication channel 126. Alternatively, theservice information is received from the location-enabled service 108via the location information system 102 over the communication channel140.

At step 626, the wireless communication device 104 ends the method.

Note that the steps included within the dashed line indicated byreference number 626 are enhanced features of the wireless communicationdevice 104. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, themost advantageous steps include steps 614, 616, 618, 620 and 622 to senda request for, receive, store, receive a request for, and send,respectively, the information signal. When the location information isdetermined in real time, the step 618 of storing may also be eliminated,since there would be no need to store the location information. Theadditional steps 622 and 624 are desirable when the wirelesscommunication device 104 needs service information related to the itspresent information location, but is not necessary to only provide ALIto the public safety answering point during an emergency E911 call.

Also note that steps included within dashed line indicated by referencenumber 628 generally describe a location information service availableto people using compatible wireless communication devices 104 in thefacility 110. The location information service may include, withoutlimitation, a place finder in the facility (eg. map service) to directpeople to their room or seat, for example.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 700 describing a method performed by thewireless communication network 106 illustrated in FIG. 4 in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

At step 701, the wireless communication network 106 starts the method.

At step 702, the wireless communication network 106 sends a request tothe wireless communication device 104 for the location informationstored in the wireless communication device 104. Preferably, the requestis sent via directly from the wireless communication network 106 to thewireless communication device 104 over the communication channel 124.Alternatively, the request is sent via the location information system102 to the wireless communication device 104 over the communicationchannel 140. At step 702, the request may be responsive to the wirelesscommunication device 104 pulling service information from thelocation-enabled service 108 via the wireless communication network 106or responsive to the location-enabled service 108 pushing the serviceinformation to the wireless communication device 104 via the wirelesscommunication network 106.

At step 703, wireless communication network 106 receives the locationinformation from the wireless communication device 104. Preferably, thelocation information is received from the wireless communication device104 directly by the wireless communication network 106 over thecommunication channel 124. Alternatively, the location information isreceived from the wireless communication device 104 via the locationinformation system 102 over the communication channel 140.

At step 704, wireless communication network 106 stores the locationinformation in the memory device 408. The storage is relativelytemporary, until the wireless communication network 106 receives updatedlocation information from the wireless communication device 104.

At step 705, wireless communication network 106 sends the locationinformation to the location-enabled service 108 over the communicationchannel 128.

At step 706, wireless communication network 106 receives the serviceinformation related to the location information from thelocation-enabled service over the communication channel 128.

At step 707, wireless communication network 106 sends the serviceinformation related to the location information to the wirelesscommunication device 104. Preferably, the service information is sentvia the wireless communication network 106 over the communicationchannel 126. Alternatively, the service information is sent via thelocation information system 102 over the communication channel 140.

At step 708, wireless communication network 106 ends the method.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart 800 describing a method performed by thelocation-enabled service 108 illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

At step 801, the location-enabled service 108 starts the method.

At step 802, the location-enabled service 108 sends a request to thewireless communication device 104 for the location information stored inthe wireless communication device 104. Preferably, the request is sentvia the wireless communication network 106 over the communicationchannel. Alternatively, the request is sent via the location informationsystem 102 over the communication channel 140. At step 802, the requestmay be responsive to the wireless communication device pulling serviceinformation from the location-enabled service 108 or responsive to thelocation-enabled service 108 pushing the service information to thewireless communication device 104.

At step 803, the location-enabled service 108 receives the locationinformation from the wireless communication device 104. Preferably, thelocation information is received via the wireless communication network106 over the communication channel 128. Alternatively, the locationinformation is received via the location information system 102 over thecommunication channel 140.

At step 804, the location-enabled service 108 stores the locationinformation in the location-enabled service. The storage is relativelytemporary, until the location-enabled service 108 receives updatedlocation information from the wireless communication device 104.

At step 805, the location-enabled service 108 sends the serviceinformation related to the location information to the wirelesscommunication device 104. Preferably, the service information is sentvia the wireless communication network 106 over the communicationchannel 128. Alternatively, the service information is sent via thelocation information system 102 over the communication channel 140.

At step 806, the location-enabled service 108 ends the method.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, any featuredescribed with reference to any drawing in the present application maybe combined with any other feature described with reference to the sameor any other drawing in the present application or the referencedco-pending application to provide multiple variations and combinationsthereof.

Hence, while the present invention has been described with reference tovarious illustrative embodiments thereof, the present invention is notintended that the invention be limited to these specific embodiments.Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations, modificationsand combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A computer-implemented method, performed by a location informationsystem, comprising: sending, at a processor of the location informationsystem, location information over a short-range wireless communicationchannel to a wireless communication device present in a predeterminedarea in a facility, the location information informing the wirelesscommunication device of a location of the wireless communication devicein the facility; wherein the location information is sent to thewireless communication device from a location in the facility other thanthe location of the wireless communication device in the facility. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving area-specificlocation information, including the location information sent to thewireless communication device, the area-specific location informationrepresenting a plurality of location descriptions associatedrespectively with a plurality of predetermined areas in the facility. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request to sendlocation information to the wireless communication device; whereinsending the location information to the wireless communication devicecomprises: sending the location information to the wirelesscommunication device in response to the request to send locationinformation to the wireless communication device.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein sending the location information to the wirelesscommunication device comprises: sending the location information to thewireless communication device unsolicited by the wireless communicationdevice.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving arequest from the wireless communication device to determine whether alocation information service is available to the wireless communicationdevice in the facility; and a processor of the location informationsystem sending a response to the wireless communication deviceindicating that the location information service is available to thewireless communication device in the facility.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the request from the wireless communication device is receivedover the short-range wireless communication channel and the response tothe request is sent to the wireless communication device over theshort-range wireless communication channel.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: broadcasting a signal to the wireless communicationdevice over the short-range wireless communication channel indicatingthat a location information service is available to the wirelesscommunication device in the facility.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining the location information based on receivedglobal positioning system signals.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theshort-range wireless communication channel is configured to operate inaccordance with the Bluetooth technology specification.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device comprises acellular telephone.
 11. A tangible computer-readable storage mediumcomprising a set of instructions for directing a processor to at least:send location information to a wireless communication device present ina predetermined area in a facility over a short-range wirelesscommunication channel, the location information informing the wirelesscommunication device of a location of the wireless communication devicein the facility; wherein the location information is sent to thewireless communication device from a location in the facility other thanthe location of the wireless communication device in the facility. 12.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, further comprising aset of instructions to direct the processor to at least: receive arequest from the wireless communication device to determine whether alocation information service is available to the wireless communicationdevice in the facility; and send a response to the wirelesscommunication device indicating that the location information service isavailable to the wireless communication device in the facility.
 13. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 11, further comprising a setof instructions to direct the processor to at least: broadcast a signalto the wireless communication device over the short-range wirelesscommunication channel indicating that a location information service isavailable to the wireless communication device in the facility.
 14. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the short-rangewireless communication channel is configured to operate in accordancewith the Bluetooth technology specification.
 15. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication devicecomprises a cellular telephone.
 16. A location information systemcomprising: a wireless communication unit configured to send locationinformation to a wireless communication device present in apredetermined area in a facility over a short-range communicationchannel, the location information informing the wireless communicationdevice of a location of the wireless device in the facility, wherein thewireless communication unit sends the location information to thewireless communication device from a location in the facility other thanthe location of the wireless communication device in the facility. 17.The location information system of claim 16, further comprising: acontroller in communication with the wireless communication unit, thecontroller being configured to direct the wireless communication unit tosend the location information to the wireless communication device inresponse to receipt of a request from the wireless to determine whethera location information service is available to the wirelesscommunication device in the facility.
 18. The location informationsystem of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication unit broadcasts asignal to the wireless communication device of the short-range wirelesscommunication channel indicating that a location information service isavailable to the wireless communication device in the facility.
 19. Thelocation information system of claim 16, wherein the wirelesscommunication unit is configured to operate in accordance with theBluetooth technology specification.
 20. The location information systemof claim 16, wherein the wireless communication device comprises acellular telephone.